In Japan, a smart street lighting system was tested by a local government that can project an LED image to alert drivers about slippery roads due to ice. This is believed to be the first such system in the country.
The city of Susono in Japan has completed a real-world trial of a smart street lighting system in collaboration with four private companies, including a telecommunications firm and auto parts manufacturers. The system was installed on a road approaching the Yanagihata Bridge in the Ishiwaki district, which is often icy during winter nights. The vertical sign measuring 5 meters by 2.5 meters uses LED lighting to project the message “Caution – Ice,” which blinks on and off every few seconds to maximize visibility and catch drivers’ attention.
Although smart street lighting is already utilized to indicate lane change dividers, this marks the first time in Japan that it has been utilized to alert drivers about icy roads, if the system is successfully implemented.
